Taking a youngster fishing can be one of the most rewarding experiences an adult can have with a child.  Sitting at the water's edge with your son or daughter, fishing lines extending peacefully into the rippling waters, just you and your child…does it make a difference?  You bet!  Water works wonders!

"Don't worry if you have never fished before," says Steve Trauger, Kenton County Parks & Recreation Programs Coordinator.  "We will have everything for you and your child to enjoy a great day of fishing - spincast rods and reels, hooks, bobbers, and bait."  You won't even need a fishing license because it's "Fish Free in Kentucky" weekend!

If you want to bring something, pack an extra helping of patience!  Oh, and bring a camera to record the memories you will be making!  The pictures you take will likely become priceless.

During the event, the Northern Kentucky Youth Association will have the picnic concessions, which will help them raise funds for ballfield reconstruction.  Please support NKYA by purchasing your picnic lunches on site! 

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources has named the Shelterhouse Pond at Middleton-Mills Park one of just five lakes in the state to be designated in their FIN Program (Fins In Neighborhood), which means that we are stocking now five times each year: Rainbow Trout in April and October, and Channel Catfish and Hybrid Bluegills in April, May, and June.

Although at all other times, you can keep your catch, KCP&R will be introducing kids to good conservation habits and sportsmanship by practicing "catch and release" during the event.

"Catch and release (or carefully returning caught fish to the water instead of keeping the fish to eat) is important," says Trauger, "so that the next time you go fishing at your favorite place, you can expect to catch a fish."

PetsMart in Florence has kindly provided an aquarium so that examples of each species caught may be observed "up close and personal" before being released.  And, Dick's Sporting Goods has provided the most excellent prizes for the biggest fish of each species caught! 

Kids will receive a packet full of fishing-related materials, including items provided by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and Kentucky's Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

"Even if you don't have a kid to bring," says Trauger, "mark June 2 on your calendar.  We will surely need partners to pair up with youngsters.  Come on out to Middleton-Mills Park, share your experience, and help teach kids the fun of fishing."

Water works wonders!  Start a family tradition on Saturday, June 2. 

Call Kenton County Recreation at (859) 525-PLAY (7529) to see how you can help – we are always in need of volunteers and funding sponsors for our programs!
 
Remember, for a list of upcoming programs, activities, and events to be held in Kenton County's parks, call the Parks & Recreation office at (859) 525-PLAY (7529) or visit our web site at www.kentoncounty.org, click on County Services, and then on Recreation.